ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
It has been quite some time since the Labour Day Classic, and its follow-up game four days later, have had so much riding on the playoff aspirations of the two teams involved. Monday’s matchup with the cross-provincial rivals will go a long way in deciding the playoff fate for both teams.
With two quick wins, the Double Blue could pull even with the Black and Gold in the East Division, while two losses could create a rather unenviable position for a club that is trying to put the first half of the 2009 campaign behind them.
It has been made clear by Head Coach Bart Andrus that regardless of the outcome, it will be third-year pivot Cody Pickett that will take them into the game.
Pickett will make his third consecutive start Monday and will work with the same receiving corps that he did a week ago. Despite two losses, Pickett has moved the ball well and delivered it with confidence in his first couple of starts of the season.
Although Pickett’s crew will stay the same, the other two facets of the Argos game will likely both get a boost. Defensively, DT Adriano Belli could return just in time to play at Ivor Wynne, a place he once called home, after missing last week’s contest against Calgary with an injury.
Argos Head Coach will likely dress two import kickers for the first time. Rookie K Justin Medlock will continue the place kicking duties while P Eddie Johnson will handle the punting Monday afternoon in Hamilton during the Labour Day Classic.
In a rather unconventional move, import punter Eddie Johnson will return to the lineup after being injured on the season’s first play versus the Ticats. The unusual part is that this will be the first time that the Argos have dressed two import kickers (along with K Justin Medlock) in several years, perhaps ever.
Making room for Belli and Johnson’s return is veteran OT Jonta Woodard who was released this weekend.
Despite a slow start, the Boatmen will be looking to build on their recent success versus the Ticats on Labour Day. The Double Blue have proved victorious in 4 of the last 6 holiday Monday meetings. Kickoff is at 4:00 pm at Ivor Wynne and a capacity crowd is expected.
Following the game, the two teams will rematch Friday at Rogers Centre on Retro Night where 1960’s jerseys and a tribute to Jim Stillwagon are just some of the events planned to “turn back time”. For tickets, call 416-872-5000 or click here to purchase online.